CHAPTER V: External action by local and regional authorities

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Article L1115-4-2

French General Code of Local AuthoritiesIn force
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Updated 8 Nov 2023

In the context of cross-border, transnational or inter-regional cooperation, territorial authorities, their groupings and, after authorisation from their supervisory authority, bodies governed by public law within the meaning of Directive 2004/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 on the coordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts may, within the limits of their competences and in compliance with France's international commitments, create with the territorial authorities, groupings of territorial authorities and bodies governed by public law of the Member States of the European Union, as well as with the Member States of the European Union or border States that are members of the Council of Europe, a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation under French law, with legal personality and financial autonomy.

This creation is authorised by order of the State representative in the region where the European grouping of territorial cooperation has its headquarters. It is granted legal personality under public law from the date on which the decision to create it comes into force. The provisions of the Title II of Book VII of Part Five which are not contrary to the Community regulations in force shall apply to it.

A European grouping of territorial cooperation under French law may be dissolved by reasoned decree adopted in the Council of Ministers and published in the Journal officiel.

Territorial authorities, their groupings and, after authorisation from their supervisory authority, bodies governed by public law within the meaning of the aforementioned Directive 2004/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004, may, within the limits of their powers, in compliance with France's international commitments and subject to prior authorisation from the State representative in the region, join a European grouping of territorial cooperation governed by foreign law.

Mariela Petrova

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Common Questions

Working with a corporate lawyer in France — Q&A

Any time a strategic decision changes how the company is owned, governed or contractually bound — incorporation, fundraising, M&A, restructuring, shareholder agreements, or major commercial contracts. Earlier engagement always costs less than later remediation.

A notary (notaire) is a public officer who authenticates specific deeds (mainly real-estate transfers and certain family-law acts). A corporate lawyer (avocat) advises on strategy, negotiates and drafts company documents, and represents you in disputes. The two roles complement rather than overlap.

Yes — most of our clients are foreign suppliers, investors or holding entities. We bridge the gap between French law and your home jurisdiction's expectations and deliver everything bilingually.

The SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée) is the default choice for most international structures: flexible governance, single shareholder allowed, no minimum capital, and works cleanly with foreign holding entities. We assess SARL, SA, SCI on the merits when the situation calls for it.

Yes — communications with a French avocat are protected by the secret professionnel (Article 66-5 of the Law of 31 December 1971). This protection is broader than the common-law attorney-client privilege and applies to written and oral exchanges.

We work on fixed fees for clearly scoped engagements (incorporation, contract drafting, audits) and on monthly retainers for ongoing advisory. Hourly billing is the exception, not the default. You always know the cost before work starts.

Typical timeline is 2–3 weeks from KYC kick-off to RCS registration, assuming standard documentation. Holding-company structures, foreign-shareholder identification or in-kind contributions can extend this — we flag the gating items at the first meeting.

Absolutely. We routinely coordinate with your in-house counsel, expert-comptable or notaire — pragmatic collaboration is the norm, not the exception. We send them everything they need to do their part without duplicating work.

Mariela Petrova

Mariela Petrova

Avocate au Barreau de Paris

Toque #C2396

15+ Years In Corporate Practice

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Communications protected by professional secrecy — secret professionnel de l'avocat, Article 66-5 of the Law of 31 December 1971.

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